And for what purpose it was started and why it continues to exist.
Well it's done right here, out of our 5th wheel RV via a Datastorm Two way internet satellite system on the roof.
I retired from Qwest in Des Moines, a few of years ago, and we live fulltime in a RV spending winters in AZ.
The Des Moines local felt we should present a web presence, which when we recruit members, or to organize workplaces, that we are the "Union for the Information Age" that can best represent their needs in a changing America.
And that means a professional looking web site that reflects and projects our goals of what we as a Union stand for, and to keep our members informed on issues that effect their lives.
Our Mission: To be the best site to find the latest information on matters that effect our members.
I started the web site during
the strike of 1998 and it has evolved to what you see today. I set
up email accounts for all the officers and stewards so members and others
can contact them with questions and concerns. We needed to get away from
using company or personal email for union business.
I set up a mailinglist,
where members can subscribe, so breaking news can be sent out. A great
way of keeping people informed with announcements. Much easier to use and
maintain then an online newsletter. Most newsletters send back to the sender
any failed emails that couldn't be delivered. A mailinglist takes care
of this itself. During the last contract talks we set up PDF download forms
for strike duty sign up, etc. and viewable picket duty assignment
spreadsheets so members could view online their duty schedules.
Looking at other CWA local
web sites I find many are doing a great job, but I also see a few that
are just not being updated and maintained in a manor that fully serves
their membership. Or other locals have not set up a web site yet.
I am willing to work with a local who would like to get a site, or take
their site to a higher level of service for their members.
For any site to be effective
it has to offer services that members want to return to, time and again
because it presents updated information of value.
Otherwise it will just be
static, whithout doing its job as a tool to be used.
Comments are always welcome.
email webmaster@cwa7102.org
I also do a web site called
www.hitchitch.com
which is a national site for fulltime RVers to share their Travel Adventures.
And a site for our personal
RV Travel Adventures... See where we are right now, and what we are up
to...
www.fulltime.hitchitch.com
Ron Bunge